Where, anciently, were jaspers found? Where are they mined in modern times? What makes them unique? What are some of the myths and folklore surrounding this gemstone?
Description of Gem
Jaspers are a fine-grained variety of chalcedony stones. Other chalcedony gemstones include agates, carnelians, chrysoprase, and onyx. The most common colors of this stone are red, opaque green, brown or yellow. These stones can many times appear flamed or striped.
Common varieties of this gem include Red Jasper (red to brown), Picture (possessing landscape-like patterns), Ocean (having circular patterns), and Yellow Jasper.
A 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica section on jasper states the following concerning the possible ancient color of this gemstone.
"The jasper of antiquity was in many cases distinctly green, for it is often compared with the emerald and other green objects. Jasper is referred to in the Niebelungenlied as being clear and green."
The formation of jasper occurs when silica-rich fluids fill cracks and cavities in a rock. They can also be created when volcanic ash and sediment fuse together. The gemstone's patterns of bands, swirls and so on are made when the silica traps impurities such as iron oxide, clay, or other minerals.
Sources
The ancient Roman nobleman Pliny records not only where iaspis (jasper) was found but what it looked like.
"many countries produce this stone: that of India is like smaragdus in color; that of Cyprus is hard and of a full sea-green; and that of Persia is skyblue. Similar to the last is the Caspian iaspis.
"On the banks of the river Thermodon the iaspis is of an azure color; in Phrygia it is purple; and in Cappadocia of an azure-purple, somber and not refulgent. The best kind is that which has a shade of purple, the next best being the rose-colored, and the next the stone with the green color of the smaragdus . . ." (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).
Jasper, in modern times, is found notably in Australia, Brazil, India, Madagascar and the western part of the United States.
How Hard Is it?
Jaspers have a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale where 10 is the hardest gemstone. They share the same hardness as other Biblical precious stones such as onyxes, peridots, agates, carnelians and others.
Biblical Occurrences
Jasper, in the King James Bible, is mentioned by name seven times in seven verses. It is recorded four times in Revelation, twice in Exodus and once in the book of Ezekiel.
This gemstone holds the distinction, along with emeralds, beryls and onyxes, of being included in the High Priest's breastplate, a stone used to beautify Lucifer, and a gem used in the new Jerusalem!
Jasper's first two mentions reveal that it was used to adorn the High Priest's breastplate.
And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it . . .
And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper (Hebrew yashpheh, Strong's Concordance #H3471).: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings. (Exodus 28:15, 20, KJV, see also 39:13).
The Hebrew word from which Biblical translators derive this gem means "to polish."
The book of Ezekiel reveals that jasper was also used by God to adorn the angel named Lucifer (who later turned himself into Satan the devil).
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle . . . (Ezekiel 28:13, KJV).
God, in vision, looked like both a jasper and sardine (likely carnelian) gemstone when the apostle John saw him.
And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper (Greek iaspis, Strong's #G2393) and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Revelation 4:3, KJV).
The new Jerusalem God will someday create will radiate with his glory that will appear like this precious stone.
Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (Revelation 21:11, KJV).
The city's walls, which will be 144 cubits thick (204 to 252 feet or 62 to 77 meters), will also be constructed of this gemstone.
And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. (Revelation 21:18, KJV).
Lastly, the very first foundation stone of the new Jerusalem will be made from this gem.
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper (Greek iaspis, #G2393); the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald . . . (Revelation 21:19, KJV).
Other Uses
Precious and semi-precious gemstones like jaspers were commonly used for jewelry that included bead work.
"Beads, commonly made of rock crystal, amber, shells, and agates of two or three colors, were widely owned and used by women.
"They could also be more handsomely put together of more expensive semiprecious stones, such as lapis lazuli . . . carnelian, onyx, and jasper." (Harper's Encyclopedia of Bible Life, section on jewelry).
Folklore and Myth
Jasper was widely used in crystal healing practices where different colors were said to have different properties.
Jasper, at one time, was associated with the characteristics of grounding, stability, protection, and confidence.
In ancient times, jasper was credited as being a rainmaker. It was also thought to stop the hemorrhaging of blood. In the fourth century A.D. this stone was thought to drive away evil spirits and to protect those who wore it from venomous bites.
A lion or an archer carved on a jasper stone was, at one time, thought to protect the wearer from poison and cure them of fever (Curious Lore of Precious Stones, pages 6, 90 – 91 and 133).